Game Preview
Mike Krueger
Predicted Score: Jaguars 30, Raiders 13
Jacksonville: The Jags have their running game cranked up and now face the 31st ranked defense against the run. Hmmm… what could happen here? Fred Taylor has led the charge with four straight games over 100 yards on the ground while Jones-Drew is averaging 11 carries per game during that span. Jacksonville has won five of its last six games and can clinch a playoff berth with a win this week. Quarterback David Garrard has thrown at least two touchdowns in his last three games.
- Start: RB Fred Taylor, RB Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars D/ST
- Consider: QB David Garrard, K Josh Scobee
- Sit: WR Dennis Northcutt, WR Ernest Wilford, TE Marcedes Lewis WR Matt Jones
Oakland: With Justin Fargas out with a sprained MCL, the Raiders will let LaMont Jordan and Dominic Rhodes handle the rushing duties. A starter has yet to be named at press time but either player isn't a good option against the Jags run defense which ranks 5th in the league. Josh McCown once again will start at quarterback with a brief appearance expected by rookie JaMarcus Russell. "It's a risk you take when you draft a quarterback No. 1 and you decide you're going to develop him and give him some playing time," Kiffin said. "You're going to risk the chance of losing games because of it."
- Start: N/A
- Consider: WR Ronald Curry, WR Jerry Porter
- Sit: RB LaMont Jordan, RB Justin Fargas TE Zach Miller, QB Josh McCown